Alpaca Farm Fun in Western Massachusetts!

Are you seeking more alpaca action in your life?

Do you crave the sight of fluffy fur clouds? Come join me on a joyous tour of an alpaca and llama farm in Williamstown, MA to satiate these cravings!

It’s almost like this alpaca took a selfie…

The spot where these cuddly creatures roam is called Sweet Brook Farm, and it is SO worth a visit if you’re anywhere around Western Massachusetts. Even if you don’t enjoy alpacas (WHAT?!) the farm’s views of the Berkshire Mountains are priceless. Our two young kids cavorted through the fields, gulping in sunshine and ogling the animals.

I loved cavorting around the farm with our family!

Sweet Brook Farm is over 100 years old (it’s part of the elite “Century Farmers” club), and is run by a man named Pete who represents the seventh generation of Phelps family farm owners. That’s a lot of generations!

In addition to raising alpacas, the farm makes its own maple syrup. (When I called to fact-check this article, Sweet Brook was deep in March maple syrup production.) The farm’s syrup is so good, that we took home a bottle and used it on our waffles today, back home in Boston.

Cuddly alpaca dolls and freshly-made maple syrup are on offer.

Our son was particularly entranced by the farm store, which features alpaca wool socks (my husband bought some purple ones and refuses to take them off, they’re so comfy), syrup, and… the poofy alpaca doll that little Devi wanted to marry.

Alpaca doll snuggles!

“Mama! It’s so SOFT!” Devi cooed, cradling the alpaca doll.

His toddler sister, Jojo, snagged her own doll, grunting, “My ‘Paca. MINE. ONLY MINE.” (Yes, she is doing the Terrible Twos thing like a champ.)

Our girl sleeps with “‘Paca” to this day, and he’s held up surprisingly well, despite the baby drool now mingled with his fur.

Look at those alpaca teeth! Check out that head of hair!

Let’s head back outside and meet the actual alpacas, shall we? First, the winner for best hair goes to this ‘paca, pictured above. Though the alpacas had been recently shorn and were all sporting jaunty buzz cuts on their coats, this one kept a shock of spikes on its head, eyes peeking from under the bangs like a too-cool teenager.

Such great fields for kids to run through.

Why an alpaca farm instead of a standard, less fluffy farm?

Farmer Pete decided to shift away from cows and towards fiber-producing animals, and concluded that alpacas were a more delightful choice than sheep to reach that goal. The farm got its first alpaca, Mimi, in 2007. Sweet Brook Farm now has 16 charming alpacas… and one llama named Zabu.

Alpaca wool scarves, made in Peru.

I applaud Pete’s choice of animals. My own alpaca obsession began in 2014 when our family stumbled upon an alpaca farm in Martha’s Vineyard, of all places. I shall never forget that first moment of touching alpaca fur — a coat so thick and deep that my hand sank completely out of view. I wanted to swim in that fur.

Oh, hello, Cutie!

Taking this alpaca love to the next level, I planned trip to Peru for February to see llamas and alpacas in the wild. Alas, I had to unexpectedly cancel the trip when it came time to get on the plane, due to delirious fever that would not have matched well with 11,000-foot altitude of Cuzco. I shall continue my quest to seek out alpacas in every corner of the world, however — starting with my own state of Massachusetts!

The flowered view from the shop.

Here, now, are some tips, should you plan to stop by Sweet Brook Farm. Parking is free, and the hours are 10am to 5pm, year round. Their Facebook page and TripAdvisor page have some useful details, as well as the address and contact options.

Wise eyes on this llama…

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a wedding venue, Sweet Brook Farm offers its rolling hills for a picturesque option. As much as I loved our reality TV wedding in Boston, I have a slight pang of regret that I did not ride into matrimony on the back of an alpaca.

Can you see why some people get married at this farm?

For nearby eating, I HIGHLY recommend this Williamstown restaurant, The Store at Five Corners, keeping with the theme of eating locally-produced, high-quality goodies, and history-steeped shops that are over a century old. Drat — now I’m hungry for their fresh pizza.

Freshly sheared and feeling good!

Want culture? Right near Sweet Brook Farm in North Adams sits MASS MoCA, one of the best modern art museums in the United States. Meanwhile, the Clark Art Museum stands strong, just up the road in Williamstown, itself.

Want to buy some syrup or fuzzy dolls?

Seeking accommodations around Williamstown?

Here are some options. (Note: These are affiliates that provide a small commission on purchase or click, at no extra cost to you.)

I’ve traveled all over the world, but am always awed by the splendor of New England, just a three hour drive from my home in Boston. We had a such good time in Williamstown (in part because of Sweet Brook Farm and its joy-inducing alpacas) that we are going back to Western Massachusetts for a week again this summer! Will we go see the alpacas again? You bet.

Silhouetted alpaca…

So what do YOU think? Have you ever been to Western Massachusetts? To Sweet Brook Farm? Do you also feel alpaca adoration? Do share!

The author, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has written over 700 articles on Around the World "L" Travel Blog since 2009, becoming a respected source of advice on educational travel.. and creating joy in everyday life! Lillie launched Teaching Traveling in 2010, which is now one of the internet's most extensive communities of global education expertise. Lillie is mother to two young children, and has been a Boston educator since 2003.

We had an Alpaca farm in northern VA that we visited on the annual farm tour, always fun although they didn’t have maple syrup. Great tips for western Mass especially that you included the museums. We saw plenty of Alpacas in Peru, and should you decide to visit there brace yourself because they’re also on the menu just about everywhere.

Oh my gooooshh, how can alpaca’s be so adorable? The pictures are hilarious and I love that you can get stuffed ones too! I am actually not sure if I’ve ever seen one in my life – probably somewhere in a zoo – but can’t really recall. Maybe it’s time for some alpaca action for me! Great idea for family quality time though!

Sweet Brook Farm sounds like an amazing place for kids (and even for me, actually!). Can you believe it, I’ve never seen Alpacas! They’re such cute animals and mostly found in cold countries, maybe that’s why. The alpaca cuddly toys are super cute too, I’d be sure to pick one for myself (I’m in my 30s, but who cares!). Alpaca wool scarves must be so warm!

Oh my goodness! These alpacas (and llama) are so, amazingly, FLUFFY!!! The homemade syrup sounds amazing, and your children are so adorable! I will be sure to check that out, along with the Store at Five Corners!

OMG! This was truly beautiful, and the alpaca fluff has transformed my world of melancholy to a world of beauty and color. I myself have only greeted a few alpacas on rare occasions, so reading this article gave me a peek into the world of alpacas!

OMG THE ALPACAS ARE SO ADORABLE AND FLUFFEH!!! I just couldn’t help myself so I tried to pet the fluffy little guys through my computer screens. That’s so cool that for you and your family to see alpacas and the amazingly beautiful landscapes. Definitely putting this on my bucket list. UGH! All I want to do now is to dive into a pool of fluffy alpacas!

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Lovely to meet you! I’m Lillie Marshall, a 6-foot tall Teacher, Traveler, and Boston mama who’s created over 700 articles on Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog since 2009. Do explore, share, and enjoy! [Learn More…]